Hair, from the Magic Changing Cards series (N223) issued by Kinney Tobacco Company

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th advertising with *Hair*, a gem from the *Magic Changing* series (N223), issued by the Kinney Tobacco Company in 1889 These tiny commercial color lithographs—measuring just 2¾ × 1½ inches—were tucked into cigarette packages as collectible incentives, transforming everyday tobacco purchases into a hunt for colorful surprises. Produced during the height of the "cigarette card craze," this series captivated smokers and children alike with its playful "magic" effect: images that shifted or revealed hidden details when tilted toward light or rubbed, showcasing men's hairstyles in a whimsical, metamorphic style. Crafted via chromolithography—a pioneering technique layering vibrant colors through multiple stone printing plates—these ephemera cards highlight the era's commercial artistry. Kinney Brothers, innovative marketers, used such series to build brand loyalty amid fierce tobacco competition. The focus on "Hair" reflects Victorian obsessions with grooming and fashion, offering a snapshot of male styles from pompadours to mustaches. Today, preserved in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Jefferson R. Burdick Collection—a legendary archive of American print ephemera—this card underscores how everyday objects became cultural artifacts, blending commerce, illusion, and style in a pocket-sized marvel.

About the Artist

Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company · 1869–2011

**Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company (1869–2011)** Founded around 1869 by Francis Sherwood Kinney in New York City, the Kinney Brothers Tobacco Company quickly rose to prominence in the burgeoning American cigarette industry. Francis, a pioneering tobacco manufacturer, experimented with hand-rolled cigarettes using blends of Turkish and Virginia tobacco, scaling to mass production by employing Europ...